I know the correct answer is “it depends”. But for the low positioned (ie. slammed stem) rider, what does research or windtunnel results show? Would straight or ski/j bent bars provide a lower CdA?
Ski bends, more often than not, put your hands in a more aero position than S or Straight bends. I’ve never heard of anyone testing faster with straight bends.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t comfortably ride the position. My bike came stock with f-bends (Felt) and while they looked cool my wrists hated them. Ended up switching to Ski-Bends and are much happier/comfortable but it doesn’t like as cool from a side profile point of view.
Ski bends put your hand inline with your forearm, while straight extensions actually have them sitting below, increasing fsa. With ski bends, just make sure to cut them down so lots of extra tubing isn’t sticking up above your hands.
I know the correct answer is “it depends”. But for the low positioned (ie. slammed stem) rider, what does research or windtunnel results show? Would straight or ski/j bent bars provide a lower CdA?
It does depend. I’ve tested both, for me, slight raised was optimal.
i think a bit of it depends also on the ski bends themselves. I have 3T ski bends and they are quite a high/tall bend. From a side profile my forarms angle up from the pads to the top of the ski bends. To me, this prob isnt the optimal. I just ordered a new trek 7.5 and have chosen s bends because i find them a bit more comfy despite the mono ski bends being not a tall type of bend if that makes sense
One would think that having bend bars in front breaking air before it hits the body would be better than non broken air from straight bars hitting the body.
possibly, but not nessesarily. The air can “reform” behind the hands and you’d be breaking the air twice…effectively increasing your frontal area.
I find the ski bends more comfrtable, but I did cut mine down so my arms are parallel with the extensions whe my hands are over the bottom of the shifters.